I am a counseling student. I am no expert, but I see a significant correlation between what my counseling textbooks advocate for and what the Body of Christ provides. Through my vast research for papers and many sleepless nights thundering through texts for class, I have concluded that going to church is essentially the most therapeutic thing you can do for your life outside of direct individual counseling. And even then ... I would recommend finding a faith based community.
1. The Church Body is Essentially the Best Support System You can find.
If you take a look at any basic intake form for therapy services there is going to be at least one question in regards to the client's support system. If there is no support system in place, the counselor will attempt to help the client develop one. Why is the support system so important? Because the rate of client success in therapy is much higher with a support system being behind the person in stress. The system essentially helps with continued therapy and does exactly what it's called... provide support.
The church, if it strives to adhere to the teachings of Jesus (which I'm assured they are), will provide a support system that is not only frequently present but is wide and diverse in life experiences.
If you are struggling with something, odds are someone in your church can relate to a similar issue and help you walk through it. I encourage you then to heal and do the same for someone else in your same position. Sharing your story with another, is therapy in itself.
2. The Teachings of the Bible Promote a Healthy Mentality and Lifestyle.
If you have ever read the Bible through you know that from Genesis to Revelation, God is sharing with you His excellent love story for His people. Everything in the Bible is meant for instruction in living right. The ten commandments are guidelines that enforce a peaceful community lifestyle. The stories of the Old Testament bear warning to the disasters that encircle sinful choices, and the New Testament gives radical examples on how to endure past exceeding adversity. The Bible many times exclaims: Love! Forgive! Be Kind! Be Altruistic! Be Faithful! Have Joy! Don't Fear! Don't Worry! Trust! All of these attributes enforce a healthy life which means a healthy brain. No wonder Christians tend to live longer! (Koenig, 2008)
3. Worship is a Type of Meditation
Buckets of studies suggest that meditation is therapeutic and beneficial to the body (Goyal, et al., 2014). Worship has some of the same components you see in meditation. You are focusing on a message, you are attuning your brain to the melody (some use their own vocalizations aka... uhm*), and your body naturally relaxes with the process. So through you worshiping God, he is restoring you both mentally and physically.
4. The Church is a Wealth of Resources
Most churches have their own roster of resources to meet individual needs. If that specific church doesn't have a food panty, Recovery Group, or any other foundation, chances are they know where you can find one! Churches, despite their denominational differences, understand that they serve a purpose to help the community and those in need, thus they create a beautiful circuit of resources.
5. Being in Church Stimulates Growth
Stagnation is the worst thing you can do to yourself. People who are mentally healthy are constantly pursuing growth. They seek new information, and they continue to cut out the junk in their life, and foster growth in the healthy things in their life. Hearing a sermon twice a week, is at least two opportunities to gain insight and pursue change. The Church creates an environment that encourages change and stimulates growth.
Do yourself a favor... go to church this Sunday. Make a change in your life for the better.
Koenig, H. G. (2008). Medicine, religion and health: Where science and spiritualitymeet. West Conshohocken, PA: Templeton Foundation Press.
Goyal, M., Singh, S., Sibinga, E. M., Gould, N. F., Rowland-Seymour, A., Sharma, R., ... & Ranasinghe, P. D. (2014). Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA internal medicine, 174(3), 357-368.
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